Latching micro-magnetic switch with improved thermal reliability

Abstract

A micro-magnetic switch includes a permanent magnet and a supporting device having contacts coupled thereto and an embedded coil. The supporting device can be positioned proximate to the magnet. The switch also includes a cantilever coupled at a central point to the supporting device. The cantilever has a conducting material coupled proximate an end and on a side of the cantilever facing the supporting device and having a soft magnetic material coupled thereto. During thermal cycling the cantilever can freely expand based on being coupled at a central point to the supporting device, which substantially reduces coefficient of thermal expansion differences between the cantilever and the supporting device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 390,164, filed Mar. 18, 2003, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 60 / 364,617, filed Mar. 18, 2002, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to electronic switches. More specifically, the present invention relates to latching micro-magnetic switches with structures having improved thermal and contact reliability. [0004] 2. Background Art [0005] Switches are typically electrically controlled two-state devices that open and close contacts to effect operation of devices in an electrical or optical circuit. Relays, for example, typically function as switches that activate or de-activate portions of electrical, optical or other devices. Relays are commonly used in many applications including telecommunications, ra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] consumer electronics, military hardware, medical devices and vehicles of all types, just to name a few broad categories of goods. The latching micro-magnetic switch of the present invention has the advantages of compactness, simplicity of fabrication, and has good performance at high frequencies.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention provide a micro-magnetic switch including a permanent magnet and a supporting device having contacts coupled thereto and an embedded coil. The supporting device can be positioned proxima

Problems solved by technology

Such relays typically exhibit a number of marked disadvantages, however, in that they generally exhibit only a single stable output (i.e. the quiescent state) and they are not latching (i.e. they do not retain a constant output as power is removed from the relay).

Moreover, the spring requ

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